The Cowper and Newton Museum

Relive Georgian life by walking through the doors at the Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney, with its historic townhouse, authentic gardens and some of the greatest stories of the Georgian era.

Step back into Georgian life by walking back through Cowper's original home featuring a vast array of personal artefacts and belongings. Discover his comic sense of humour, his poetry and writings, his dark depressions and love of garden and animals – especially his three pet hares. Why he never opened his front door and why he is important figure in our literary heritage.

Experience life on board a slave ship and discover the journey that took Cowper’s friend, John Newton, from slave trade captain and slave himself to Olney Parish Curate and inspired him to write the world’s most famous hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ right here in Olney.

Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the sensory pleasures of two peaceful and tranquil Georgian gardens – The Walled Flower Garden with its numerous plants, shrubs and flowers dating back to 1800 and The Summer House Garden with its 300 year old garden house, medicinal plants, herbs and heritage fruit and vegetables all maintained organically, encouraging all forms of wild life.

Spend the rest of your visit looking round Olney with its beautiful 13th century church; Georgian architecture and market place; nearby country park at Emberton; unique gift and boutique shopping; and a great choice of restaurants, cafés and pubs for quick stops or leisurely dining.

Step back in history at The Cowper and Newton Museum, 115year old museum in the heart of Buckinghamshire.

Winter Closure: Christmas, New Year, January and February for refurbishment.

Admission charges

Adults £5.00 for an annual passChildren under 16 - FREEParties of 12 people or more: £5.00 per head, £6.00 with pre-booked guided tour Garden only £1.50Special events: See website for details

Getting there

Olney is on the A509, 5 miles North of Newport Pagnell and 7 miles from Junction 14 of the M1.

Olney is easily accessible by car from Bedford, Northampton, Wellingborough, Milton Keynes and the M1 motorway.

There is an hourly Arriva bus service no.1 linking Bletchley, Milton Keynes Central Station, Newport Pagnell and Olney. Olney can also be reached from Northampton and Bedford using Stagecoach East bus service 41.

Additional info

Shop, Gallery, Museum and Walled Gardens

All parking in Olney is free.

Coach parties are welcome by prior arrangement. Please contact the House Manager on 01234 711516/ house-manager@cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk.

Accessibility: There is regrettably there is no wheelchair access to the Museum. The garden and shop can be accessed and three rooms in Cowper’s house are accessible via two or three steps.

The building is a three-storey townhouse with a staircase between each floor. There are handrails on the staircase and visitor seating in every room. A ground-level adapted toilet is available and there is parking for blue badge holders nearby.

Getting there

Olney is on the A509, 5 miles North of Newport Pagnell and 7 miles from Junction 14 of the M1.

Olney is easily accessible by car from Bedford, Northampton, Wellingborough, Milton Keynes and the M1 motorway.

There is an hourly Arriva bus service no.1 linking Bletchley, Milton Keynes Central Station, Newport Pagnell and Olney. Olney can also be reached from Northampton and Bedford using Stagecoach East bus service 41.

Website

E-mail

Telephone

01234 711516

All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.